Leeds Rhinos secure England star Hall on five year contract

Leeds Rhinos and English Rugby League have been given a massive boost with the news that winger Ryan Hall has agreed a new five year contract with the club that will keep him at Headingley Carnegie until at least the end of the 2018 First Utility Super League season.

The winger, who has scored 158 tries in 197 appearances for the club, is tenth in the all time list of try scorers in the Super League era. He was a mainstay of the England World Cup squad. The new deal includes the current season and is a major coup for the Rhinos given interest in Hall from Rugby Union and the NRL.

Commenting on the deal, the 26-year-old said, "I am really pleased to get the new deal agreed. I have always signed long term contracts with the club and I never had any intention of going anywhere but it is nice to feel that the club want me. This is a great club, who do things the right way, and I want to be part of helping the club move forward over the next few years. There is a great nucleus of players here who want to stay together and achieve more success for Leeds Rhinos. We are well looked after by the club and, as a group of players, we set high standards for ourselves and that is a great environment for an elite player to be in."

Head Coach Brian McDermott believes the new contract is a major boost, not just for the Rhinos but for the Super League competition as a whole. He commented, "I think everyone who loves Rugby League and loves watching Super League will be pleased by this announcement. We have seen Ryan perform on the highest stage with England against Australia and New Zealand and for the Rhinos in the World Club Challenges and he has consistently proved his quality. To agree a new long term contract with a player like that, which will take him through until he is 30, is testament to the culture at this club and the commitment these players have to one another."

Following news that Kevin Sinfield will leave the Rhinos this November to join Yorkshire Carnegie, the Leeds skipper has said that he believes the club is in safe hands with a new generation of young stars emerging this season.

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brian McDermott says the club are fully focused on the task ahead despite the announcements in the last week that Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield will both leave the Rhinos this winter.

Following today's announcement regarding Kevin Sinfield and his plans to leave the Rhinos at the end of the 2015 season, Chief Executive Gary Hetherington has praised the captain's contribution to the club.

Kevin Sinfield MBE, Leeds Rhinos greatest ever captain, will leave the club at the end of the 2015 season to finish his career playing Rugby Union with sister club Yorkshire Carnegie having agreed an 18 month contract with Bryan Redpath's side.